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FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 · 9:00 AM AM · Room 301-B, City Hall

TL;DR

The Finance & Personnel Committee met for nearly 4 hours and approved most of its 26 agenda items, including grants, bond refinancing, and 2026 pay adjustments for city employees. A proposed $617,215 reallocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds failed to pass but was held for further discussion, while most other financial and personnel matters moved forward.

Key Decisions

  • American Rescue Plan Act funds reallocation ($617,215) Held for future discussion
  • Sewerage System Revenue Refunding Bonds authorization Passed - approved for sale and issuance
  • 2026 city employee pay rates amendment Passed - recommended for passage
  • State grants acceptance (domestic violence and newborn screening) Passed - both grants approved for funding
  • 2025 budget shortfall resolution Passed - approved use of contingent funds to close financial books
Agenda PDF Minutes PDF

Agenda

  1. 1. Communication from the Office of the Comptroller relating to the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2025
    Communication
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BURGELIS that this Communication be RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  2. 2. Appointment of Jerry Allen to the Employees’ Retirement System Annuity and Pension Board Committee by the Common Council President.
    Appointment
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. SPIKER that this Appointment be RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  3. 3. Reappointment of Deborah Ford to the Employees’ Retirement System Annuity and Pension Board Committee by the Common Council President.
    Appointment
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. MOORE that this Appointment be RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  4. 4. Reappointment of Steve Mahan to the Deferred Compensation Plan Board by the Mayor.
    Appointment
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BURGELIS that this Appointment be RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  5. 5. Reappointment of Molly King to the Deferred Compensation Plan Board by the Mayor.
    Appointment
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. MOORE that this Appointment be RECOMMENDED FOR CONFIRMATION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  6. 6. Resolution authorizing the review, enhancement, and expansion of the Department of Employee Relations Mental/EAP Health and Wellness Benefits Program.
    Resolution
    Action: HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. SPIKER that this Resolution be HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  7. 7. Substitute resolution relative to the reallocation and expenditure of up to $617,215 of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
    Resolution
  8. 8. Substitute resolution relating to pension cost recovery associated with reimbursable overtime and extra-duty contracts.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BURGELIS that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  9. 9. A substitute ordinance relating to the membership, organization, and activities of the city information management committee.
    Ordinance
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. SPIKER that this Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  10. 10. Communication from the Department of Administration - Budget and Management Analysis Division regarding vacancy requests, fund transfers and equipment requests.
    Communication to Finance
    Action: APPROVED Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BURGELIS that this Communication to Finance be APPROVED. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  11. 11. Substitute resolution authorizing carryover of certain fund balances from 2025 to 2026 in accordance with Section 65.07(1)(p), Wisconsin Statutes.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. COGGS that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  12. 12. Substitute resolution rescinding reserved commitments and appropriating remaining funds from the 2025 Common Council Contingent Fund for the purpose of closing the 2025 financial books due to unanticipated shortfalls in current year operating expenses.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. SPIKER that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  13. 13. Substitute resolution relating to expenditure of funds to be reimbursed by greater than anticipated revenue(Fire Department).
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. MOORE that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  14. 14. Resolution relating to expenditure of funds to be reimbursed by greater than anticipated revenue (Police Department).
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. SPIKER that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  15. 15. Communication from the Department of Administration relating to approval of changes to certain single or sole source contracts or contract amendments.
    Communication to Finance
    Action: APPROVED Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. MOORE that this Communication to Finance be APPROVED. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  16. 16. Communication from the Department of Administration informing the Finance and Personnel Committee of waivers granted for certain single or sole source contracts or contract amendments.
    Communication to Finance
    Action: PLACED ON FILE Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. MOORE that this Communication to Finance be PLACED ON FILE. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  17. 17. Communication from the Department of Employee Relations relating to classification studies scheduled for City Service Commission action.
    Communication
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BURGELIS that this Communication be RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  18. 18. Substitute resolution authorizing amendments to Common Council File Number 991863 relating to the City’s Sewerage System Revenue Bonds.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. SPIKER that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  19. 19. Substitute resolution authorizing the sale and issuance of Sewerage System Revenue Refunding Bonds in one or more series.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. COGGS that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  20. 20. Substitute resolution authorizing the restructuring of paying agent, registrar, transfer agent, and depositary services for outstanding sewerage system revenue bonds.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BURGELIS that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  21. 21. Resolution relating to acceptance and funding of a State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program - Milwaukee County Domestic Violence High Risk Team grant.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. SPIKER that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  22. 22. Resolution relating to acceptance and funding of the 2026-27 Wisconsin Congenital Disorder/Newborn Screening grant from the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. SPIKER that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  23. 23. Substitute resolution authorizing attendance at conventions, seminars and other travel.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. MOORE that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  24. 24. A substitute ordinance to further amend the 2026 rates of pay of offices and positions in the City Service.
    Ordinance
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. SPIKER that this Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  25. 25. A substitute ordinance to further amend the 2026 offices and positions in the City Service.
    Ordinance
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. MOORE that this Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  26. The following file may be placed on file as being no longer necessary:
  27. 26. Resolution relating to the American Rescue Plan Act Funding Allocation Task Force.
    Resolution
    Action: RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. BURGELIS that this Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  28. This meeting will be webcast live at www.milwaukee.gov/channel25.
  29. NOTA: Para los clientes de cable de Spectrum que deseen ver subtítulos en español, ya están disponibles en el Canal de la Ciudad. En su control remoto de cable Spectrum, presione “MENÚ.” Seleccione “SUBTÍTULOS/CAPTIONS.” Use la flecha hacia abajo hasta “ESTÁNDAR/STANDARD,” luego use la flecha hacia arriba y cambie a “CC3.”
  30. In the event that Common Council members who are not members of this committee attend this meeting, this meeting may also simultaneously constitute a meeting of the Common Council or any of the following committees: Community and Economic Development, Finance and Personnel, Judiciary and Legislation, Licenses, Public Safety and Health, Public Works, Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development, and/or Steering and Rules. Whether a simultaneous meeting is occurring depends on whether the presence of one or more of the Common Council member results in a quorum of the Common Council or any of the above committees, and, if there is a quorum of another committee, whether any agenda items listed above involve matters within that committee’s realm of authority. In the event that a simultaneous meeting is occurring, no action other than information gathering will be taken at the simultaneous meeting. Times for specific agenda items are estimations. If items cannot be heard at their specified times, they will be heard as soon as practicable thereafter.
  31. Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities through sign language interpreters or auxiliary aids. For assistance contact the Legislative Services ADA Coordinator at 286-2998, (FAX)286-3456, (TDD)286-2025 or by writing to Room 205, City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
  32. City Hall and the Zeidler Municipal Building are accessible by "The Hop" City Hall Stations, the MCTS Green Line, Connect 1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 33, and 57 bus routes. Visit https://www.ridemcts.com/ for more information. Bike racks are available on Water Street, Market Street, and Broadway, and a Bublr Bike Share station is located on the northeast corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. Limited parking for persons attending meetings during normal business hours is available at reduced rates (5 hour limit) at the Associated Bank River Center on the southwest corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. You must present a copy of the meeting notice to the parking cashier.
  33. Persons engaged in lobbying as defined in s. 305-43-4 of the Milwaukee Code are required to register with the City Clerk's License Division. Lobbyists appearing before a Common Council committee are required to identify themselves as such. More information is available at http://city.milwaukee.gov/Lobbying.
  34. Meeting recessed at 11:40 a.m.
  35. 252047 Substitute resolution relative to the reallocation and expenditure of up to $617,215 of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
    Resolution
    Action: SUBSTITUTED Failed

    A motion was made by ALD. SPIKER that this Resolution be SUBSTITUTED. This motion FAILED by the following vote:

  36. Also present:
  37. Meeting convened at 9:19 a.m.
  38. 252047 Substitute resolution relative to the reallocation and expenditure of up to $617,215 of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
    Resolution
    Action: SUBSTITUTED Failed

    A motion was made by ALD. SPIKER that this Resolution be SUBSTITUTED. This motion FAILED by the following vote:

  39. 252047 Substitute resolution relative to the reallocation and expenditure of up to $617,215 of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
    Resolution
    Action: HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR Passed

    A motion was made by ALD. COGGS that this Resolution be HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR. This motion PREVAILED by the following vote:

  40. This meeting can be viewed in its entirety through the City's Legislative Research Center at http://milwaukee.legistar.com/calendar.
  41. Meeting adjourned at 1:07 p.m. Chris Lee, Staff Assistant Council Records Section City Clerk's Office
  42. Meeting reconvened at 11:53 a.m.